Chapter XLIX That it is a perilous thing too lightly to order a brother to do aught “on his obedience”, and also not to obey an order thus given Theblessed father thought it seldom advisable that an order should
Complete three-work composite: CCEL Fioretti; Salter 1904 Life and Miracles; Evans 1899 / Goretti 2025 Mirror
Chapter XLIX That it is a perilous thing too lightly to order a brother to do aught “on his obedience”, and also not to obey an order thus given Theblessed father thought it seldom advisable that an order should
be given to a brother “on his obedience,” for that a weapon to be
used only in a last necessity ought not to be launched in the first instance. “The hand,” saith he, “should not be too ready to grasp the sword.” On the other hand, he would say: “He that hasteneth not to obey an order given on his obedience neither feareth God nor reverenceth man,” so long, to wit, as he hath no necessary cause for tarrying.
Nought is more true, for what else is the power of command in one that giveth order rashly but a sword in the hand of a madman? And again, what case is more hopeless than that of a Religious who doth neglect and despise his obedience?